Where to Begin

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction for the PS3 is a mix between an action game and a platformer, so it may seem confusing at first, especially if you’ve never played a Ratchet and Clank game. To really get through it, you will need to master some basic skills, such as weapon selection, that you’ve never had to think about in a platformer before. Luckily, we’re here to help.

Your Tools of Destruction

There are several different weapons found in Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. They all have their uses, but for the most part, you can focus on a small number of them and make it through the game. All are upgradeable, both in level and in abilities, and you should do this as quickly as possible with the weapons you want to use the most. To upgrade a weapon’s level, all you have to do is use it. Since you can go back and play previous levels several times, this is a great way to level up weapons that seem too weak to use, as well as pick up a few extra bolts, required to purchase new ones. To upgrade a weapon’s abilities, you will need raritanium, found in various treasure chests and from defeating enemies. Here are some of my recommended weapons of use:

The Combustor – You begin the game with this weapon, and it may seem weak as you start to take on harder enemies. However, it has a large ammo capacity, and also can be upgraded to shoot three bullets at once (only using 1 ammo per shot still). Another advantage is the ability to get raritanium from enemies. You have to purchase this as an upgrade, but not all weapons have it, so especially early on, use the Combustor as much as possible in order to power up all your weapons quickly.

The Negotiator – Not just a movie with Samuel L. Jackson, this rocket-launching beast is a fine addition to your arsenal. One of the most powerful weapons in the game, especially after upgrades, it can take on regular and shielded enemies with ease, and should quickly become your favorite against bosses.

Nano-Swarmers – These may seem weak at first, but after a few upgrades, there’s nothing better to take on groups of enemies. Deploy these turrets, then run and hide. You can have up to two active at once, so keep these by your side to avoid being overwhelmed. Against bosses, or in the arena, they are also quite useful, and can do a decent amount of damage while you try to gather more ammo.

Mag-net Launcher – Perhaps the most underrated weapon in the game, this will temporarily suspend an enemy’s movement, and hurt him as well. Great to use to freeze enemies while you pull out another weapon, such as the Combustor, to get extra raritanium.

Surviving the Future

This game is full of enemies, all of which want you dead. Thankfully, Ratchet has a few tricks to avoid a Lombax grave. The easiest way to avoid dying is simply to purchase armor. There are 4 sets of armor that you can obtain at various points in the game, and doing so is a great way to stay alive. Armor reduces the overall damage you take per hit, from 25% with the first set, up to 65% with the last.

During battle, there are several things you can do as well. If you find yourself in a bind, try deploying a Groovitron. This will cause disco mania amongst the enemies, including most bosses, and can give you the few seconds you need to do extra damage or run away for more ammo. Another good device to use is Mr. Zurkon, a floating defense robot that does quite a bit of damage. He won’t kill everything for you, but he is very effective in a short range defense situation. Most other devices, especially the Leech Bombs, are usually not worth it, so don’t waste your time. Almost all battles in the game allow you to retreat and regroup, so don’t be afraid to back off for a moment if things get too intense.

What’s Next

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction has a lot to discover in it. When you beat the game the first time, you will unlock Challenge mode, which allows you to replay the game at a higher difficulty, unlock the Omega versions of your arsenal (upgradeable to level 10!), and use the bolt multiplier, giving you literally millions of bolts. You will also be able to purchase the Golden Groovitron, which is just an unlimited supply of them, keeping all your Saturday Night Fever dreams alive. Don’t be afraid to replay the levels multiple times, as finding Gold Bolts and Holo-Plan parts will allow you access to even more items, including the most powerful weapon in the game, and lots of bonus material. In the end, it’s all about your Tools of Destruction, and killing the Cragmites, so get out there and save the future.